Global audience for Shrewsbury Folk Festival

Occasional showers failed to put a dampener on Shrewsbury Folk Festival as about 6,500 fans converged on the County Showground for the start of the four-day event.

Fans from around the world have flocked to the festival with followers from across Europe and America swelling numbers. The event brings almost £3.7 million to the local economy and sold out in May.

As many as 6,000 people across the globe also tuned in to the internet to watch live streaming of the festival last night.

Music was being streamed as part of a special worldwide internet broadcast – beamed from a converted £500 caravan on the site.

Festival information technology specialist, 59-year-old Charles Dencombe, relayed events to fans in Europe, America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

The former technology teacher and his wife, Heather, oversaw a successful multi-media operation at the Berwick Road showground.

Performances by bands were filmed and relayed to large screens on the showground itself – and then broadcast around the world.

Mr Dencombe, who converted his bargain basement caravan into a broadcasting studio, uses the caravan's former shower room and toilet as a "media distributor". He said broadcasts had been successful and bands had also enjoyed receiving DVDs of their performances.

Festival spokeswoman Jo Cunningham said: "The multi-media work has been one of our most popular innovations in recent years."

Hotels, restaurants and shops in Shrewsbury enjoyed a boost in takings, with many bed and breakfasts having no vacancies left and restaurants also selling out.

More than 60 acts have been booked to appear, with other headliners including The Imagined Village, Show of Hands, Oysterband and Chris Wood. Last night's headliners Bellowhead proved popular with fans as the music continued late into the night.

Mrs Cunningham added: "It's been an incredibly successful start to the festival and we're thrilled with the way things have gone.

"We're particularly grateful to our band of volunteers who have overseen activities on the site. Without them it simply wouldn't be possible.

"The atmosphere on the showground at Berwick Road is sensational. We've got people there from all over the world and they are determined to have a great time. The weather won't put a dampener on the weekend's fun."

Fans were looking forward to big names this evening, with 17 Hippies, Martyn Joseph and Show of Hands due to appear. Tomorrow's line-up includes Chris Wood and Andy Cutting, Spiers and Boden, Gerry O'Connor, The Sweetback Sisters and Imagined Village. Watch the action at www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk